Padded end cap for vehicle lifting hoist arm

ABSTRACT

A padded end cap made of resilient material for cushioning the end of lifting hoist arms of automotive lifts. One embodiment of this solid body cushioning apparatus (10) contains a plurality of vertical and horizontal attachment surfaces to affix the apparatus to the substantially square or rectangular end of a vehicle lifting arm. Another solid body embodiment provides at least one concave attachment surface to affix the cushioning apparatus to the substantially cylindrical, circular or semi-circular end of a vehicle lifting arm.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/458,175 filed Mar. 26, 2003. The contents of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 60/458,175 are fully incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of Invention

[0003] This present invention relates to automotive lift assemblies,particularly a padded end cap for the end of lifting hoist arms of theautomotive lifts.

[0004] 2. Objects and Advantages

[0005] The object of the padded end cap is to provide a surface on theend of the lifting arm that is softer than the composition of thelifting arm.

[0006] A further object of the invention is to provide a low-cost,durable device that can be utilized by manufacturers of automotive liftsystems as well as commercial operators or home users of new or existinguse automotive lifts. This device can be attached to the end of eachlifting arm on an automotive lift by any of the means listedhereinafter.

[0007] Additional advantages and novel features of the present inventionwill be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in partwill become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of thefollowing, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Theadvantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of theinstrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in theappended claims.

PRIOR ART

[0008] Automotive lift systems are well known is the art, particularlyin the automotive servicing field, where a technician must often raise avehicle to a predetermined height above the ground in order to makeappropriate repairs. Automotive lift assemblies can be constructed in avariety of configurations but typically have four lifting arms which thevehicle rests on. The lifting arms are extendable to support the vehicleat prescribed load bearing positions.

[0009] All automotive lifting arms are made of metal and most are squareor rectangular in shape. The ends of the lift arms are alsopredominately square or rectangular in shape. Some manufacturershowever, include a cylindrical attachment at the end of their liftingarms to hold a vehicle support stand.

[0010] Regardless of the shape of the lifting arm and/or its end, allcommercially available lift arms are comprised of metal. There is noevidence of any device available to attach to the end of the liftingarms to provide a surface softer than metal, i.e., a cushioning surface.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0011] This present invention is a padded end cap for cushioning the endof the lifting arms on automotive lifts. This article of manufacturesupplies a low-cost, durable product that can be easily fitted to theend of the lifting arms of an automotive lift system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] The character of the invention, however, may be best understoodby reference to one of its structural forms, as illustrated by theaccompanying drawings, in which:

[0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a padded end cap with a pluralityof attachment surfaces for affixing the padded end cap to a lifting arm.

[0014]FIG. 2a is a perspective view of a padded end cap offset from theend of a lifting arm.

[0015]FIG. 2b is a perspective view of a padded end cap in place on theend of a lifting arm.

[0016]FIG. 3a is a perspective view of a two-post automotive lift systemwith four vehicle-lifting arms.

[0017]FIG. 3b is a perspective view of a padded end cap in place on theend of a lifting arm.

[0018]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cylindrical or semi-circularshaped padded end cap.

[0019]FIG. 5a is a perspective view of a cylindrical or semi-circularpadded end cap offset from the cylindrical end of a lifting arm.

[0020]FIG. 5b is a perspective view of a cylindrical or semi-circularpadded end cap affixed to the cylindrical end of a lifting arm.

[0021] List of Reference Numerals

[0022] The following is a list of reference numerals utilized in thedrawings provided.

[0023]10 Lifting Arm Padded End Cap

[0024]12 Back Attachment Surface of Padded End Cap

[0025]14 Bottom Attachment Surface of Padded End Cap

[0026]16 Side Attachment Surface of Padded End Cap

[0027]18 Lifting Arm

[0028]20 Vehicle Support Stand

[0029]22 Automotive Lift Support Post

[0030]24 Lifting Arm Padded End Cap (Semi-Cylindrical or Semi-Circular)

[0031]26 Attachment Surface on Semi-Cylindrical or Semi-Circular PaddedEnd Cap

[0032]28 Base for Vehicle Support Stand

DETAILED DESCRIPTION (OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS)

[0033] Referring to FIG. 1, which best shows the general features of oneembodiment of the invention, a vehicle lifting arm padded end cap (10)is shown with a plurality of attachment surfaces. The one-piece liftingarm padded end cap was produced via a compression molded processutilizing closed cell foam materials. The padded end cap can be producedutilizing any resilient material including, but not limited to, expandedfoam, rubber, extruded foam rubber, sponge foam polyurethane foam,integral skin foams, rigid closed cell, integral flexible open cell,expanded polystyrene or compression-molded, closed cell cross-linkedpolyethylene or other suitable materials. These processes are utilizedin manufacturing industries and well known to those skilled in the art.

[0034] The FIG. 1 embodiment has a plurality of attachment surfaces foraffixing the padded end cap to the end of a lifting arm. Item 12 is avertical back attachment surface. Item 14 is a horizontal bottomattachment surface. Item 16 is a vertical side attachment surface. Thereare two opposing vertical attachment surfaces. The configuration of theembodiment shown in FIG. 1 is best suited to fit on the end of a liftingarm that has a square or rectangular shape. The attachment surfacesshown are set against the corresponding end, sides and bottom of asquare or rectangular lifting arm.

[0035] Padded end caps may be attached to the vehicle lifting arm by,but not limited to, the following means: magnetic, spring clips, Velcro,tie straps, nuts, bolts, screws, snug-fit, slip on, double sided tape,or adhesives.

[0036]FIG. 2a shows a typical rectangular lifting arm (18) with avehicle support stand (20). A padded end cap (10) is shown offset fromthe end of the lifting arm (18).

[0037]FIG. 2b shows a typical rectangular lifting arm (18) with avehicle support stand (20) and an attached padded end cap (10).

[0038] A typical two-post aboveground automotive lift system is shown inFIG. 3a. Two vehicle lifting arms (18) are attached to each support post(22).

[0039]FIG. 3b offers a view of a lifting arm (18) with an attachedpadded end cap (10) in place.

[0040]FIG. 4 shows a cylindrical or semi-circular padded end cap (24)with one concave attachment surface (26).

[0041]FIG. 5a illustrates a square or rectangular lifting arm (18) withan attached cylindrical base (28) to hold a vehicle support stand (20).Offset from the end of the lifting arm is a cylindrical or semi-circularpadded end cap (24).

[0042]FIG. 5b shows a square or rectangular lifting arm (18) with anattached cylindrical base (28) to hold a vehicle support stand (20). Asemi-cylindrical or semi-circular padded end cap (24) is attached to thecylindrical base.

We claim:
 1. In combination: an automotive lift system lifting armhaving a substantially rectangular or square end; a cushioning apparatusfor attaching to the substantially rectangular or square end of thelifting arm, comprising: a solid body of resilient material having aplurality of exterior surfaces and a front section, two adjacent sidesections substantially perpendicular to the front section, and a bottomsection substantially perpendicular to the side sections and the frontsection; an attachment means for affixing said cushioning apparatus tothe substantially rectangular or square end of an automotive lift systemlifting arm.
 2. A combination according to claim 1 wherein thecushioning apparatus contains indicia disposed on an exterior surface.3. In combination: an automotive lift system lifting arm having asubstantially cylindrical, circular or semi-circular end; a cushioningapparatus for attaching to the substantially cylindrical, circular orsemi-circular end of the lifting arm comprising: a solid body ofresilient material having a semi-cylindrical or semi-circular shape andat least one concave attachment surface for affixing said cushioningapparatus to the cylindrical, circular or semi-circular end of anautomotive lift system lifting arm. an attachment means for affixingsaid cushioning apparatus to the cylindrical, circular or semi-circularend of an automotive lift system lifting arm.
 4. A combination accordingto claim 3 wherein the cushioning apparatus contains indicia disposed onan exterior surface.